Surname Hanway - Meaning and Origin
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Hanway: What does the surname Hanway mean?
The last name Hanway is a patronymic surname. That is, it was derived from the name of the person's father or ancestor, and is connected to him. The name is an anglicised version of the Gaelic "O'hAnndabhuidhe," which is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Anndabhuidhe," which is thought to come from the Olde Irish for "lamb."
People with the Hanway surname likely have roots in Ireland and are connected to the ancient Irish clan known as the O'hAnndabhuidhe, or Hanaway. This clan likely descended from the Dalcassian nobility, meaning they descended from King Cas who reigned in the eighth century. Over the next few centuries, the O'hAnndabhuidhe clan were involved in a number of battles, such as the Battle of Clontarf. These battles often led to feuding among the clans in the area, and it is believed that many members of the O'hAnndabhuidhe clan eventually left their lands in search of a better life.
Due to the close connection between the Hanway surname and its Irish history, it can signify familial pride and a sense of connection to the ancient Irish people. It may also signify a core sense of values and loyalty, as the Hanway clan was known for their loyalty to one another and support during hard times. It is likely that many people with the Hanway surname possess these qualities.
Order DNA origin analysisHanway: Where does the name Hanway come from?
The Hanway surname is still found throughout the world today, although the name is not as frequent as it was in its more formative years. It is primarily found in select areas of England and the United States.
Within England, the greatest concentration of Hanways is found in the south-west of the country, in counties such as Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset. This is especially the case around the Wiltshire/Hampshire border, where places like Salisbury, Andover and Tisbury are all noted as originating places of the surname.
In the United States, the name is most common in the states of Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland. Among American Hanways it is believed that the line originated in Pennsylvania, with different branches of the same family moving to other states over time.
No matter where Hanways are found around the world, it is certain that the name is a proud and historic one that has traveled, adapted and been kept alive for many centuries. The Hanway name is one that will live on for years to come.
Variations of the surname Hanway
The surname Hanway is of English origin and can be found spelled many different ways. Common variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for Hanway include Hanaway, Hanwey, Hanwaye, Hanweye, Hanweigh, Hanwaye, Hanway, Hannaway, Hanwayd, Hanwey, Hanwy and Hanwyse.
Hanway is derived from a medieval personal name, which is a combination of the Old Germanic elements ‘Hagano’ and ‘Wega’. In Old German, ‘Hagano’ meant ‘enclosure’ or ‘hedge’ referring to a demarcated area or land, and ‘Wega’ meant ‘way’ or ‘road’. Thus, ‘Hagano-Wega’ was a descriptive personal name referring to someone who lived near an enclosed road or pathway.
Variations of the Hanway surname began to form before records began to be kept in the mid-13th century when spelling and the use of language were still very much in their infancy. Consequently, one or two letters were often left out or unintentionally changed with each generation, resulting in variations of the same surname. Many still exist today, including Hanway, Hanaway, Hanwey, Hanwaye, Hanweigh, Hannaway, Hanwy and Hanwyse.
As the use of spelling gradually developed, many of the variants gradually changed and merged into the most commonly used spelling of Hanway. However, the many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for the family of Hanway are a testament to the changing language and spelling we see today.
Famous people with the name Hanway
- Stanley Elmer Hanway (American basketball player)
- Alvin Hanway (American football player)
- Marianna Hanway (Australian rower)
- Jack Hanway (American swimmer)
- Johann Schlegelmilch Hanway (British merchant)
- Jayson Hanway (American tennis player)
- Miah Luna Hanway (American actress)
- Bill Hanway (American architect)
- Charles Hanway (British collector of old books)
- Charles Hanway Clarke (British theologian)
- Sonya Hanway (American singer-songwriter)
- Laura Hanway (American artist and illustrator)
- Gilbert Hanway (British civil engineer)
- Stephanie Hanway (American poet and playwright)
- Susan Hanway (American philanthropist and entrepreneur)